{"id":6133,"date":"2013-04-03T09:54:09","date_gmt":"2013-04-03T13:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=6133"},"modified":"2013-04-03T09:54:09","modified_gmt":"2013-04-03T13:54:09","slug":"rnw-looks-into-zimbabwes-history-of-media-repression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/rnw-looks-into-zimbabwes-history-of-media-repression\/","title":{"rendered":"RNW looks into Zimbabwe’s history of media repression"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Zimbabwe-Map\"<\/a>Ironically, Radio Netherlands Worldwide\u00a0was once an international voice<\/a>\u00a0for those living without free press. In the following RNW article, \u00a0Dlamini\u00a0points out that technology is advancing at a rapid pace and media outlets increasing; however, radio remains the most accessible means of receiving news and information, and unlike technologies that rely on the Internet and mobile phone networks, radio listening cannot be easily traced or monitored by those in power.<\/p>\n

It is my sincere hope that, somehow, RNW’s voice will once again find the means to speak for those in need of free press.<\/p>\n

Even 33 years after winning the fight for independence, Zimbabwe\u2019s President Robert Mugabe remains a harsh critic of the white colonial government\u2019s system. But with his recent ban on radios, he is imposing the same oppressive tactics that he himself once fought against to liberate his people.<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Nkosana Dlamini, Harare<\/p>\n

As I write, Zimbabwe\u2019s statutes are being stiffened with the state oppression that Mugabe himself once fought against. A case in point is the state\u2019s recent banning of small wind-up radios with a short-wave dial.<\/p>\n

To understand better, let\u2019s first rewind a few decades\u2026<\/p>\n

Chiefs and Commandos<\/strong>
\nZimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, gained independence in 1980 after a protracted guerrilla war. At its peak, in the 1970s, the two main fighting movements, ZIPRA and ZANLA, established exiled radio stations in neighbouring countries where their fighters received training. These stations broadcast into Zimbabwe via short and medium-wave. It was the way to communicate with the local villagers who supported the war by sharing intelligence and foodstuffs.<\/p>\n

But in a bid to thwart enemy operations, Ian Smith, the last white Rhodesian ruler, developed strategies that forced radios to be fitted with frequency modulation (FM), as opposed to short wave.<\/p>\n

Manufactured by local Zimbabwean firms, Smith\u2019s FM radio sets were branded with the name \u2018Chief\u2019.[…]Other radios were manufactured under the name \u2018Commando\u2019 and distributed to soldiers in the bush. The government\u2019s intention here was to keep spirits up with music and programmes in which troops could request favourite songs and relay messages about their welfare to loved ones.<\/p>\n

Mugabe\u2019s heavy hand<\/strong>
\nSmith claimed \u2013 as Mugabe does now – to be shielding people from pirate stations broadcasting hate speech. In both eras, locals have been instilled with fear. They have had to resort to listening to exiled stations from under the blankets and in their barns, anxious that their neighbours might see them using forbidden radios.<\/p>\n

[…]Even under Zimbabwe’s stringent laws today, it is not a crime to own a radio receiver. But, by day, Mugabe\u2019s state agents confiscate the radios and harass citizens found in possession of them \u2013 a practice that gets revved up each time a Zimbabwean election looms. By night, the same agents return home to tune into exiled stations via the radios they\u2019ve confiscated. In some instances, they distribute them among their relatives.<\/p>\n

The state says it is confiscating the receivers because they are being brought into the country by NGOs without paying a customs fee. In some instances, the do admit they are trying to prevent ordinary citizens from accessing exiled Zimbabwean radio stations through shortwave – a unique feature in these radios.<\/p>\n

In other ways, too, Mugabe has proven worse than his predecessor. He has made repeated attempts to scramble these stations\u2019 signals. He is also allegedly responsible for the 2002 bombing of exiled station Radio Voice of the People and the 2000 and 2001 bombings of independent newspaper The Daily News.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s listener<\/strong>
\nBut Mugabe may be fighting a losing battle. Technological advances are no longer so slow. Today\u2019s listener is not only more stubborn, but also more able to access alternative media sources such as the internet and digital satellite broadcasters.<\/p>\n

Radio is also accessible via cell phone and computer. Most Zimbabweans now own cheap Asian-import cars fitted with radios that can access Studio 7, the exiled station most despised by Mugabe which has coverage even wider than that of the FM state broadcaster, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Cooperation (ZBC). Radio Voice of the People and Short Wave Radio Africa are two other exiled stations that attract a generous listenership.<\/p>\n

And the stricter Mugabe gets about the ban\u2019s imposition, the more ravenous becomes the appetite of Zimbabwean citizens. They want to hear precisely what the state broadcaster cannot \u2013 or will not \u2013 put in their domain.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

(Source:\u00a0RNW<\/a>)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ironically, Radio Netherlands Worldwide\u00a0was once an international voice\u00a0for those living without free press. In the following RNW article, \u00a0Dlamini\u00a0points out that technology is advancing at a rapid pace and media outlets increasing; however, radio remains the most accessible means of receiving news and information, and unlike technologies that rely on the Internet and mobile phone […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[56,3,43],"tags":[1136,807,1548,1832,63,64,84,136],"class_list":["post-6133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-broadcasters","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","tag-free-press","tag-freedom-of-information","tag-freedom-of-press","tag-radio-ban","tag-radio-netherlands-worldwide","tag-rnw","tag-why-shortwave-radio","tag-zimbabwe"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-1AV","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3147,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2012\/03\/changes-at-radio-netherlands-worldwide\/","url_meta":{"origin":6133,"position":0},"title":"Changes at Radio Netherlands Worldwide","author":"Thomas","date":"March 30, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Though I'm at least happy that RNW is making it their core mission to keep broadcasting to parts of the world where free speech is\u00a0suppressed, I do fear how far the cuts may go beyond their Dutch broadcasts to expatriates. With 70% cuts in funding, future changes are likely to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/RNW.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1182,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2011\/06\/radio-netherlands-worldwide-needs-your-help\/","url_meta":{"origin":6133,"position":1},"title":"Radio Netherlands Worldwide needs your help","author":"Thomas","date":"June 15, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"RNW, like many international broadcasters, is under threat due to budget cuts. Show your support for RNW by signing this petition online. Also consider commenting on the Radio Netherlands 4U website. \u00a0 56DF629HY6HC","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/RNW.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1187,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2011\/06\/rnw-will-focus-on-free-speech-eliminate-most-other-broadcasting\/","url_meta":{"origin":6133,"position":2},"title":"RNW will focus on free speech, eliminate most other broadcasting","author":"Thomas","date":"June 17, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Radio Netherlands Worldwide) The Dutch cabinet has announced plans to cut back the activities of Radio Netherlands Worldwide. The Dutch world service will no longer provide information for Dutch people living abroad, or provide the rest of the world with a realistic image of the Netherlands. Instead, Radio Netherlands\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/RNW-Hilver-300x152.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":25201,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/04\/rnw-video-of-flevoland-shortwave-station\/","url_meta":{"origin":6133,"position":3},"title":"RNW: Video of Flevoland Shortwave station","author":"Thomas","date":"April 13, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor,\u00a0Peter Veenendaal, who shares the following video and notes: I am a former employee of Radio Netherlands Worldwide, which stopped broadcasting exactly 5 years ago next May. Three years ago I made this short video of the Flevoland Shortwave station RNW used until 2007. It's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Peter-Veenendaal-image-Flevo-shortwave-station.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Peter-Veenendaal-image-Flevo-shortwave-station.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Peter-Veenendaal-image-Flevo-shortwave-station.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Peter-Veenendaal-image-Flevo-shortwave-station.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11993,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/shortwave-radio-recordings-special-radio-netherlands-broadcast-via-wrmi\/","url_meta":{"origin":6133,"position":4},"title":"Shortwave Radio Recordings: Special Radio Netherlands broadcast via WRMI","author":"Thomas","date":"January 18, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Last week, I received a message from\u00a0Peter De Groot, who announced a special broadcast of Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW). RNW has been off the air for more than 2.5 years, so we can assume this was not sponsored by RNW. Though scheduling (and the fact I forgot to start a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"RadioNederland","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/RadioNederland.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":35880,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/02\/radio-netherlands-jonathan-shares-photos-from-bvn-television-and-rnw-newsrooms\/","url_meta":{"origin":6133,"position":5},"title":"Radio Netherlands: Jonathan shares photos from BVN Television and RNW newsrooms","author":"Thomas","date":"February 4, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to Jonathan Marks--former host of RNW's Media Network and curator of the Media Network Vintage Vault--who kindly shares a collection of photos he took in 2001 and 2002 at RNW's headquarters in Hilversum. Click on the images below to enlarge: The RNW Newsroom in August 2002 The BVN\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/04-DSC_0056-1024x681.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/04-DSC_0056-1024x681.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/04-DSC_0056-1024x681.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6133"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6133\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6133"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}